Conservationists seek to conserve Mount Major trails $1.8 million sought to purchase 950 acres of private land

Thursday

Jun 27, 2013 at 3:15 AM

(Editor’s note: This story launches our series on local hiking trails, which will be published over the coming issues of the Rochester Times.)

By Conor Makem

cmakem@fosters.com

ALTON — A $1.8 million effort is under way to conserve key lots of land along the Mount Major trails and the Belknap Range, covering some of the most popular hiking trails in New Hampshire. Currently, the state owns Mount Major’s Route 11 parking area and the summit (the 60-acre Mt. Major State Forest), but the land in between is private.

Don Berry is president of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT), an organization that is partnering with the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests (Forest Society) and members of the Belknap Range Conservation Coalition, to purchase and permanently conserve 950 acres in the Belknap Mountains. The organizations held a press conference at the foot of Mount Major on Tuesday, June 25 to announce their most recent campaign, “Everybody Hikes Mount Major: Conserving the Belknap Mountains and Trails.”

“For thousands of people around the region, Mt. Major was the first mountain they climbed and they’ve since climbed it many times and with their children and grandchildren,” Berry said. “If these lands are sold or transferred, the owners could cut off the access and the recreational opportunities and the wildlife habitat may disappear as well.”

The conservationists have reached agreements with four landowners — the Gage family, the Hertel family, the Jensen family and the Roberts family — for lots totaling 950 acres. The Forest Society and LRCT hope to raise $1.8 million before Dec. 1 so they can begin closing on the purchase and sales agreement later that month.

“Every generation has an opportunity to protect a special place, and this is one of those opportunities,” said Jane Difley, president/forester for the Forest Society. “We anticipate being able to announce soon commitments of up to $385,000, leaving $1.12 million still to be raised.”

The contributions expected include funds from both the Alton and Gilford Conservation Commissions, as well as an individual donor.

According to Russ Wilder, head of the Belknap Range Conservation Coalition and member of the Alton Conservation Commission, not everyone backs using public funds for a project like this. However, Alton residents agreed to use conservation funds for the project after realizing “this mountain is one of our economic bases,” he said.

About 80,000 hikers make use of Mount Major each year.

“Potential projects come forward all the time and they don’t often make it to this point,” said Jack Savage, Forest Society vice president, adding that his organization doesn’t usually begin an effort like this unless they have confidence it can be accomplished. “People in New Hampshire are really incredibly generous and appreciate a place like this.”

Savage relayed several similar campaigns, including $1.2 million raised in 90 days for conservation on Black Mountain and $1.6 million raised for the Ashuelot River Headwaters.

Dave Roberts, of Farmington, owns the 75 acre parcel adjacent to the Route 11 parking area. He is a longtime member of both the LRCT and the Forest Society. He also completed the first significant map of the entire range. Roberts bought the land to prevent a developer from purchasing it, and fully intended to make it available for conservation.

“I started hiking (Mt. Major) in high school,” the 78-year old said.

If the organizations raise $1.8 million and complete the purchase and sales agreements, the LRCT will own and manage the Gilford parcel and the Forest Society will own and manage the three parcels on or near Mt. Major.

The 1,785-foot Mount Major is a popular destination for locals and tourists due to the quality of its view and relative shortness of the hike to the summit. The mountain offers a birdseye view of Lake Winnipesaukee. On busy summer days, vehicles spill out of the parking lot and onto Route 11. Families, scouts, summer camps, tourists and wildlife enthusiasts keep the trails well populated. Visitors hike, hunt, cross country ski and snowmobile around the area and animals like moose, bear, white tailed deer and bobcats call the mountain home.

Founded in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. Supported by 10,000 families and businesses, the Forest Society’s mission is to perpetuate the state’s forests by promoting land conservation and sustainable forestry.

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is a member-supported, community-based, non-profit organization. Founded in 1979, it has protected more than 22,000 acres of shore frontage, islands, forest and mountaintops.

The Gilford Conservation Commission will hold a regular meeting Tuesday, July 2 at 7 p.m. in the Gilford Town Hall. Alton will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 2 at 6 p.m. in Alton Town Hall.